Revitalizing a Luxury Treehouse Above Howe Sound

The phone call that started this journey was one we won’t forget. It was from Fook Weng Chan of FWC Architecture & Urban Design, asking if we’d be interested in restoring the iconic Hemingway Treehouse on Copper Cove Drive. “Send us some photos,” we said, as he described the project over the phone. When the images came through, we were speechless. The architecture was so striking, so unique, and the site so challenging - we knew immediately we wanted to be part of this story.

This home isn’t just any house; it’s a legacy. Originally designed and built decades ago, it’s a heritage-listed masterpiece that reflects the bold creativity of its era. The Treehouse has been celebrated in design exhibitions, museum tours, and even featured in documentaries.

Check out the full CBC Article Here.

Restoring a home like this is an honour, but it’s also a huge responsibility. Our mission was clear: breathe new life into this masterpiece while preserving its original character.

The first step was to gut the house, revealing the existing conditions. Structural upgrades were essential, as were new electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

We carefully repaired rotten sections of the walls, roof, decks, and other areas affected by time and weather. From there, we installed a new building envelope, roofing, siding, soffits, fascia, decking, guardrails, and stairs. Every detail of the exterior was revitalized to ensure durability while staying true to the original design.

Inside, the work was just as intricate. Every finish, every piece of millwork, and every fixture was thoughtfully selected to balance modern comfort with the home’s timeless aesthetic. The Treehouse is filled with moments of joy - small details that bring the architecture to life.

Throughout the process, we worked closely with the architect, blending new materials with the original components to create a fresh yet rooted expression of modern design. The result is a home that feels both revitalized and deeply respectful of its history.

As one of the homeowners put it, “When we are there, everywhere we look, the small details bring joy.”

Projects like this remind us why we do what we do. The Treehouse is more than just a building; it’s a piece of West Coast architectural history. Bringing it back to life was a privilege, and we’re proud to have played a role in its story.